BY JOSEPH MASHA

Severe drought has hit livestock keeping zones in three districts of Kilifi County, posing a threat to animal survival, the Government has warned.

An early warning report for June from the Ministry of State for Development of Northern Kenya said the situation in Ganze and Bamba divisions of Ganze District had been deteriorating due to lack of rains.

The report signed by the District Drought Management Officer Bethwel Wafula also mentioned parts of Kaloleni District to be among the worst hit by the dry spell.

“Early warning survey has shown deterioration of water sources and drying of green pastures due to low rainfalls,” said Mr Wafula.

 “Seasonal rivers have now dried up and the only sources are water pans and dams which are also threatened.

The officer said livestock farmers are now forced to travel long distances in search of greener pastures and water.

Severe drought

“Families are forced to travel long distances as they search for greener pastures and water for their lives due to the severe drought facing the region,” said Mr Wafula.

The drought has also affected crop production as most of them withered before maturity during the last rainy season, he told The Standard.

He said most school children in Ganze and Kaloleni districts depend on school feeding programmes supported by World Food Program and the World Vision.

‘School children in the drought hit region of kaloleni and Ganze are being retained in schools because of the feeding programs supported by the World Vision feeding programs as most of their families lack food due to poor farm crop harvests exprienced last season,” explained Mr Wafula.

According to the report, the affected areas received rains for an average of only 4.2 days in the month of June.  The District Food for Asset Officer Stephen Musimba said the price of livestock has been going down due to deterioration of animal health.

Reduced prices

Mr Musimba said in the month of May, a sizable goat could fetch about Sh2,242 but in June, the price went down to Sh1,949.

The price of a bull went down from Sh14,509 in the month of May to Sh12,521 in June.

The officer further said the price of 2kgs of maize flour went up to Sh91.8 in June from Sh83 the previous month while a kilo of beans in the same month went for Sh94.2.

Recommendation

The early warning stages report recommended there is need to enhance water storage facilities mostly in education and health institutions.

It also recommended a campaign to promote environmental protection and conservation, and integration through fishing farming initiatives.

It also said there should be an enhancement of livestock disease outbreak surveillance.